Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Wednesday's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 14th October 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Oct 26 at
4:23PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales in north England and Scotland, strengthening for severe conditions, storm-force over Munros. Cloud and patchy rain, mostly west, increasing through afternoon, steady heavy rain northwest highlands later. Near-gales for south Pennines and Wales, mixed cloud and sun, some patchy rain forming.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Storm-force wind, cloud and patchy rain increase
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly, in range 50 to 65mph to start, notable increase with height, and strengthening, sustained speeds 60-70mph, gusting up to 90mph or higher over the high Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Buffeting even on lower hills, increasingly severe conditions on high terrain, any mobility becoming difficult and strongest gusts will blow you around without bracing; powerful downslope gusts.
How Wet?
A little rain, gradually increasing through afternoon
Spots of rain in the wind, most frequent Ben Alder to Drumochter hills, substantially dry furthest north and east, though occasionally drizzly on high Cairngorms. Areas of patchy rain form through afternoon, setting in evening into night for sustained falls widely, heaviest Drumochter to Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
High terrain largely covered, breaks north & east
Banks of cloud clinging to many upper slopes above 800-1000m, but north and east of the Cairngorm plateau and on Monadhliath the cloud may break up for periods. Some varied lower banks forming, lowest south, and will fill in more extensively evening/night.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun, more often north of Cairngorms. Visibility fairly good, particularly north Cairngorms earlier, but slight haze, and periods of poor visibility increasing through afternoon.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to 8 or 9C, mildest northern Cairngorms. Only slight drop if any into night, only later cooling again. Feeling like -7 to -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 15th October 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Oct 26 at
4:23PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly starting in range of 35-45mph, trending towards 25-35mph, may briefly ease more.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking in exposure, some more arduous moments but will vary; considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
A little rain, often dry
Rain from overnight clears away eastward as dawn approaches, small chance some lingering patchy rain. A lengthy dry window is probable, then scattered showers drift into western areas as afternoon goes.
Cloud on the hills?
Patches over high terrain
Varied cloud banks, mostly above 900m; north Cairngorm slopes often clear of cloud. A few breaks off the summits are likely, but then cloud returns from the west as showers form, mostly above 800m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun. Good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Starting at a mild 7 or 8C, soon cooling towards 4C. Feeling like -2 to -5C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, though may lower towards just the high summits evening into night.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 16th October 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Oct 26 at
4:23PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 20-25mph, becoming quite gusty later, tops speeds to 30-35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Quite blustery at times on the high Cairngorms, notable buffeting as gusts form, some strenuous moments.
How Wet?
Some showers
A few showers may drift onto the hills from the north and west, then risk a cluster of showers briefly in the afternoon, falling as snow above 900m, and perhaps later in the day as well, but dry windows between showery bursts.
Cloud on the hills?
Well-broken on high terrain
Some early ragged cloud at varied heights in the morning, this soon lifting and dissipating in the morning, to just varied banks above 1000-1100m, mostly during showers. Windows of clear summits are likely between showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, more often sunny on lower slopes towards Deeside. Very good visibility, though poor in showers, very poor in snow on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C.
Freezing Level
1200m
Planning Outlook
Frontal rain into south Scotland and north England on Thursday, though details of how the front will move are currently uncertain. Starting on the milder side south of the front, fresher air arrives behind the rain Thursday into Friday, sun breaking out with a few showers - Scottish high summits drop back close to freezing with some snow falling on higher tops. Higher pressure builds on Friday, easing remaining showers with plenty of sun breaking out though a gusty northerly wind will persist for a time. A window of settled weather over the weekend and scope for local inversion conditions. Clear night skies allow for chilly mornings, ground frosts likely, and may remain breezy south Pennines and Wales. Pressure remains high into the next week though a few brief unsettled moments come and go.